Flushing apparatus



Oct. 9 1923. 1,469,891

R. A. BROOKS I FLUSHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 8, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 owe, 1923.

R; A. BROOKS FLUSHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 8, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mi Mi? a ==Ei=\\\\\ In nfe 1115;.

H 7 I Y Patented Get. 9, 1923.

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ROBERT A. BROOKS, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLUSHING APPARATUS":

Application filed January 8,1920. Serial No. 350,20Q. V i

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT A. Bnoons, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flushing Apparatus, of which the following is specification.

My invention relates to siphonic flushing devices adapted to be used to control the flush of water necessary to flush out closet bowls of any of the various types in common use in water closets, and is intended for the same general purposes as the siphonic flushing and metering devices shown in Patents Nos. 1,265,601 and 1,315,207 here tofore granted to me. The object'of my present invention is the improvement and perfectioning of devices of this type, and the production of a flushing device which shall be efficient, durable, economical to manufacture and install, and shall possess various novel and desirable features of construction and arrangement "which will be apparent from the description hereinafter given. lnthe appended claims I have more particularly pointed out the essential elements of my invention, it being understood, however, that various changes in the construction. and arrangement of parts are possible without departing from the substance of my invention or the scope ofsuch claims. In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 a front elevation of connected flushing devices embodying my invention as used in a system employing my invention and employing a master supply tank and a plurality of flushing devices for associated closet bowls; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one of the devlces;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the device on the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3 1s a fragmentary section of-the loweriportion of the sam'e, with the main piston and associated parts inthe position occupied as the piston is descending; Fig 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 -l of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 a section inthe same plane of a portion of the device. show? ing the timing piston in a different position: and Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views showing the relief valves which are used to respectively check and stop siphonie action. The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures of the drawing. 4

My novel flushing device is more partiaularly intended for installations in which a single master or supply tank, in which the Water is maintained at asubstantia-lly" constant level by a suitable admission valve, is connected by a line of piping of large* capacity with devices individual to the closets of the system, in which'devices the water normally stands at the level determined by the master tank. In Figure -1 of the drawings, the waterin the supply tank A is'ma-intained at a substantiallyconstant level by the float-actuator inlet valve B, and in the line of supply piping C, which extends through all the closets, are inter posed the flushing devices D, one at the back of eachcloset. The tank'and flushing device are arranged at such level 'as to give a proper flush of waterto the closet ,say.

about six feet from the floor.

The casing of my novel flushing devicemay consist of asi'ngle hollow casing-1, the front art 2- of which 'isopen at the top, the lower portion of this open-topped part constitutinga piston chamber 3. Communicati'ng at the'bottom with'the'p-istoni chamber is a vertical smaller-rear chamber at, which constitutes the ascending leg of the siphonic passage. The descending leg is formed by a pipe 5, brazed to a nut 6 which is" screw-threaded to engage a central threaded seat formed in the lower wall-10f the casting centrally of thechamber 4e, and the'dischargepipe 7 secured to the nut 6 in suitable manner, as by the union-8,-leading to the closet bowl. The top of the chamber- 4: is closed by a cover casting 9, bolted tothe casing 1, this cover casting in the present instance being formed with a bracket lug 10 through which the device maybe secured" 9 to the adjacent wall of the closet.

i To provide for connectingthe device in the line of supply piping-C,; the, casing 1 is formed with opposite bosseslf 'formed around opening 12 in the casing wall above thelevel of, the "piston chamber 3 'lhese bosses are i tapped to receive bolts- L12 by means ofwhich orificed clamping rings 13 may be drawn up forcibly toward 't-he'bosses, and the re tering openings in each "boss vandassociated cap are oppositely chambered to form; a wedgeshaped recess to receive a ring'of suitable compressiblepackingmar terial 14, as lead or othersoft metal, surrounding the section of piping-which extends into them. In this i-nannerv a firm joint is secured without the necessity of cutting-the comprising in the present instance a perforated disk to which is secured a downwardly extending headed stud 16, upon which latter is 'slidingly'mounted a circular check plate or valve 17.. In the normal lowermost position occupied by'the parts when at restbetween flushing operations the head of the stud rests upon the bottom wall of the piston chamber, andthe check plate rests upon-the upper face of such head, permitting free communication between the chambers 3 and 4,. The piston is lifted through a rod 18 pivotally connected with an actuating lever 19 which is lined to a shortirock-shatt 19 journaled in a pair of ears formed on a pivot block 2O bolted to a lug 21 extending laterally from the top oi the casing wall, and which is actuated by means of a rod 22 connected to its outer end. This rodmay beoperated either manually, or automatically through 7 suitable connections with the closet in a manner which is well known in the art and which therefore need not behereillustrated or described. In

the present instance a weight 23 is hung to the inner end of the leverl9 to assist the return of the piston to its normal lowermost position after having been actuated, al-

though the weight and proportions of the parts may be made such that this weight may be dispensed with.-

When the parts of the device are at rest in normal position occupied during the inter- 'vals between flushing operations, the space I opened after the primary flushing flow has occurred to first cause a diminished flow of water and thus cause a refill of the closet bowl, and then'entirely break the siphon and stoptherefill-flow. For the purpose of diminishing the flow I provide small tube 24L brazed or otherwise secured to the cover casting 9 forming the top wall of the chamhers-4; andextending downwardly a short distancewithin the pipe 5 which forms the upper portion-of the descendingleg of the siphon. The upper end of this tube 24 1s formed as a valve seat with which is ar ranged to cooperate a valve 25. To entirely interrupt all siphonic action I provide a valve 26 arrangedto cooperate with a valve seat 27 openingdirectly into the chamber 4:. The valves 25 and 26 are opened. in the order named, (after having been closed in a man ner hereinafter described) by means of a lever 28 pivoted between opposite posts 29' r sing irom the cover casting 9 and arranged to engage nuts 25 and 26carrie d respectively by the upwardly extending stems 25 and 26 of such valves.

The timing mechanism which is arranged 'to cooperate with the valves 25 and .26 ineludes liquid-filled cylinder 30, which cylinder, in the present instance, consists of a cylindrical sheet netal; cup brazed to a cap piece formed with a vertical lug 31 by means of which it is secured to the casing i, and with a neck 32 which rises to the level or such casing. Within the cylinder 30 is arranged a reciprocating retarding piston loosely confined between a curved arm 84 and a block 35 fixed to the lower end 01" the stem 36 of the piston mechanism. The stem 36 extends upwardly through an orificed plug 87 which closes the top o'lthe neck 32 of the cylinder and at its top is equipped with a contact member 88 I erate with the lever before. mentioned. The curved arm 34* holds the piston 33 in tilted position when the piston is at'rest in lowermost position and while being lifted, and the orifice around the stem is larger than such stem with the result that'liquid above the piston may pass through this orifice and around the edge'oi the piston read; ,ily when the latter is liited. W hen descending, the piston assumes a horizontal position,

as shown in Fig. 5, bringing up against the block and closing the central opening and the liquid can only escape slowly through the restricted marginal opening around the periphery of the piston, thus retarding the return stroke oi? the piston.

It may be stated that whilewater or almost any other liquid'of proper fluidity may be used in the timing cylinder, 1 preferably employ a fluid such as kerosene which is non-freezing and IlOll-VOlZttllB in order that the. cylinder-need not be emptied where the devices are used in installations used only during the summer time, and must be dis =connected and emptied through the winter to avoid damage from "freezing, as in public parks and pleasure resorts only open through the summer.

The retarding piston just described is lifted by means of an. arm 39'which is.ad justably'secured to the pivot 19 beiore mentioned and which is rocked when the rod 22' is operatedto initiate a flushing operation. The inner end of this arm 39 is arranged to cooperate with the contact member .38 car riedby the stem oi" the retarding piston, and lift it to a height determinedby its angular adjustment upon the pin at 19 This ad just n'ent is attained by splitting a hubAtO with which the arm 39 is provided, andcmploying a clampir screw 41 to secure it to the pivot, in t1 manner the height to "anged to coop-- l ll) till which the retarding piston is lifted maybe varied, and consequently the length of a flush of water may be regulated.

The operation of my novel flushing device will require but brief further explanation. When the actuating rod is op erated, the pumping piston is lifted from lowermost to upper position, the water passmg freely through and around'thc piston.

Simultaneously, the timing piston is elevated in the cylinder 30, and the lifting of the contact member 38 at the top of the stem 36 releases the lever 28 and permits the valves and 26 (which are held open between flushing operations by such lever through the weight of the contact member and connected parts) to close the openings at the top of the siphonic passage. When the rod is released the weighted main piston 15 will descend upon its return stroke, the check plate 17 being forced against the under side of such piston and closing'the openings therethrough, (see Fig. 3) and in this manner the starting charge of water in the piston cham; her is forced through the chamber 4 and into the descending leg of the siphon to initiate a flush. The check plate then assumes the position shown in Fig. 3 and remainsin this position during the continuation of the siphonic flow and the ensuing period ofrest. The flush having been initiated inthe man ner described continues until the descent of "the timing piston near the end of the return stroke causes the contact member 38 to rock the lever 28 and liftthe valve 25. This permits air to enter the central small tube 24, which has the effect of diminishing andretarding, but not entirely interrupting the siphonic flow. The diminished flow continues for a relatively brief period, but long enough to properly refill the closet bowl, and the further descent of the timing piston, by efi'ecting the opening of the valve 26 ina' similar manner, causes air to be admitted di .rectly into the bend at the top of the siphonic passage and entirely stops further siphonic said forcing chamber, and actuating means operatively connected'wi'th said valve and piston and arranged to effect closing of the valve andoperate said piston.

2. In apparatus for flushingwate'r closets including amaster tank and asupply pipe.

a siphonic flushing device having an openof such chamber below said supply pipe constituting a forcingchamber, a siphonic pasage communicating with the bottom of said forcing chamber and having at its top a passagc to the atmospherc,avalve yieldingly tending to close said passage, a piston in said forcing chamber, a reciprocating connection operatively connected with said valve and arranged to permit it to close when such is moved from normal position of rest and connected with said piston and arranged to force water from said forcing chamber through said siphonic passage.

3. Inapparatus for flushing water closets including a master tank and a supply pipe, a siphonic flushing device having an opentopped chamber in free communication above its bottomwith said supply pipe, the portion of such chamber below said supply pipe constituting a forcing chamber, a siphonic passage communicating with the bottom of said forcing chamber and having at its top a passage to theat1nosphere,a valve yield ingly tending to close said passage,'a piston in said forcing chamber, a reciprocating connection operatively connected with said valve and arranged topermit it to close at the beginning of a reciprocating movement of such connection and also opera'tively con nected with said piston, said piston being arranged to force water from said forcing i chamber through said siphonic passage on its return stroke.

4. In apparatus for flushing water closets including a master tank and a supply pipe,

a siphonic flushing device having an opentopped'chamber in free communication above its bottom with said supply pipe, the portion of such chamber below said sup ply pipe constituting a forcing chamber. a siphonic passage communicating with the bottom-of said forcing chamber and having at its top a passage to the atmosphere, a valve yieldingly tending to close said pas sage, timing mechanism including a con tact member' arranged to hold said valve open when in normal position of rest,.a piston in said forcing chamber, and actuating connection yperatively connected with said timing mechanism and also operatively connected with said piston.

5. In apparatus for flushing water closets including amaster tank and a supply pipe, a siphonic flushing deviceihaving anopentopped; chamber in free communication above its bottom with said supply pipe,'-t he portion of such chamber below said supply pipe constitutii'ig a forcing chamber, a

siphonic passage communicating with the I bottom of "said forcing chamber and having at its top 'a' passage to the atmosphere. a valve yie. '.ugl y"-tending to close said passage, timing mechanism including a cylinder and a retarding piston therein and a contact member connected to saidpiston and arranged to hold'said valve open when said piston in normal position t rest,'a pumppiston in said forcing chamber, and an actuating connection operatively connected with said retardi: piston and said pumping piston. p

6.111 a siphonic flushing device having means fo forcing a startij-ig charge of water through the siphonic passage, mea governing the length f ti-ow compr valve arrai'iged to admitair to the top elf the siphon, a cylinder, a reciprocating picton having a retarded return. movement operatively connected to said valve and ar ranged to open it at the end of its return stroke, and means "for actuating said piston.

7. In a siphonic flushing device having means for forcinga starting charge of water through the siphonic passage, means tor governing the length of iiow com rising a valve arranged to admit air to the top of the siphon, a cylinder, a reciprocating piston having a retarded return movement and provided with a stem equipped with acoutact member, said contact member lbeing arrangedto open said valve atthe end-of the return stroke of the piston, and means for actuating said piston. r

8. In a siphonicflushing device having means for forcing a starting charge 01 water through th siphonic passage, means for governing the length of flow comprising a valve arranged to admit air to the top of the siphon, a cylinder, a reciprocating piston having a retarded return movement and pro vided with stem equipped with a contact member, a rocking lever operatively connected to said valve, said contact member being arranged to rock said lever and open said valve at the end of the return stroke of the piston, and means for actuating said piston.

9. siphonic flushing device according to claim 8 in which said valve yieldingly tends to close and is normally held. open between flushing operations by the weight of said piston mechanisi 10. in a siph'onic tlushing device having means'for forcing Li-starting charge of water through the siphonic passage, means for producing a diminished refill flow c mpris-. ing a tube extendingdownwardlyinto the descending leg'ett the siphon, a valve "for admitting the passage oiiiair through said tube, said valve-being closed during-the primary flushing flow, and retarded opening means for effecting a delayed open said valve. i Y i i ll. Ina siphonic flushing device having meanstor forcing a starting char-goof water through. the siphonic passage, means for producing a diminished .retill flow comprising a tube extending downwardly into t re s tor descending leg of the siphon, a valve for admitting the passage of air through said tube, a reciprocating aiston having a retarded return movement operatively con nected to said valve and arranged to open it shortly before the end of its return stroke, and means for actuating said pisto 12. In a siphonic flushing device having means for forcing a starting charge of wa tcr through the siphonic passage, means for producing a diminished'reiill flow compris- 'ing a tube extending downwardly into the descei'iding leg or th siphon, a valve for admitting the passage of air through said tube, a reciprocating piston having a re tarded return movement and provided with a stem equipped with a contact member, said. contact member being arranged to pen said valve at the end of the return stroke of the piston, and means for actuatingsaid piston. v

13, In a siphonic flushing device having means tor forcing a startingcharge of wa through the siphonic passage, means for producing a diminished rehll flow comprising a tube extending downwardly into the descendin leg of the siphon, a valve for admitting the. passage of air through said tube, a'reciprocating piston having a retarded retur movement and provided with a a stem equipped with a contact member, a rocking lever operatively connected to said valve, said contact member being arranged to rock said lever and open said valve at the endof the return stroke of the piston, and means for actuating said piston.

14. In a siphonic flushing device having means for forcing a starting charge of water through the siphonic' passage, means for producing a diminished refill flow and then breaking the siphon comprising a tube extending downwardly into the descending leg of the siphon, a valve for admitting the passage ofair through said tube, a valve an ranged to admit air to the top of the siphon, retarding mechanism operatively connected with said valves and arranged to first. open said first-mentioned valve and then Open said second-mentioned valve during the latter part of its cycle of movement, and means for actuating saidforcing means and said retarding mechanism.= 7 15. In asiphonic flushing device having means for forcing astarting charge of water through the siphonic passage, means torproducing a diminished refill flow and then breaking the siphon comprising a tube extending downwardlyinto the descending leg oi the siphon, a valve for admitting the passage of air through said tube, a valve ar rangedto admit airto the top of the siphon, a reciprocating piston having a retarded return movement and operatively connected to said valves and arranged to firsttopen said first-mentioned valve and then open said sec.

ond-mentioned valve during the latter part of its return stroke, and means for actuating said forcing means and said piston.

16. In a siphoniccfiushing device having means for forcing a starting charge of water through the siphonic passage, means for producing a diminished refill flow and then breaking the siphon comprising a tube ex tending downwardly into the descending leg of the siphon, a valve for admitting the passage of air through said tube, a valve arranged to admit air to the top of the siphon, a reciprocating piston having a retarded return movement and having a lost-motion connection with said first-mentioned valve and a lost-motion connection with said second -mentioned valve whereby they are opened in succession during the latter part of the return stroke of the piston, and means for actuating said forcing means and said piston.

17. In a siphonic flushing device having means for forcing a starting charge of water through the siphonic passage, means for producing a diminished refill flow and then breaking the siphon comprising a tube extending downwardly into the descending leg of the siphon, a valve having a vertical stem and arranged to admit air into said tube, a

valve adjacent said first-mentioned valve also having a vertical stem and'arranged to admit air to the top of said siphon, a rocking lever operatively connectedv with the stems of said first-mentioned valve and said second-mentioned valve and arranged to open them in succession, means for actuating said forcing means, and retarding mechanism connected with'said actuating means and to said rocking lever and arrangedcto produce a delayed opening movement of said valves. v I

18. In a siphonic flushing device having means for forcing a starting charge of water to said valve, a

a retarded return movement and provided with a stem connected with said actuating.

means and also having one-way lost-motion connection WltlISdtld rocking lever.

19. In a slphonicrflushing device having means for forcing a'starting' charge of water through the siphonic passage, means for regulating the length offioW including a valve arranged to admit air to the top of the siphon, a liquid-filled cylinder, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder operatively connected to said valve and having a retarded return movement, and means for adjustably varying the length of stroke of saidpiston. I

20. In a siphonic flushing device having a pumping piston for forcing a starting charge of water through the siphonic passage and having actuating means including a rock shaft arranged to operate said piston, means for regulating the length of flowinclnding a vvalve opening into the siphonic passage, a

liquid-filled cylinder, a timing piston in said cylinder having a stem operatively connected rock shaft and operatively connected with said piston stem, and means for angularly ad]usting said rock arm on said rock shaft.

ROBERT A. BROOKS.

rock arm connected to said 

